You’re so used to that fresh, minty taste of toothpaste that wakes you up every morning that you can’t dream of removing it. Well, you don’t have to… Just make sure you brush with something else that’s been added to your toothbrush. And you just might find out that bad breath has kissed you!
Please pass the salt.
Would you believe that something as simple as salt and pepper on your brush goes a long way in preventing and controlling bad breath? The combination eliminates the buildup of bacteria in your mouth and promises you cleaner, fresher breath. So get those pepper sauces out and off your dining table and into your bathrooms.
And how does this unlikely pair prevent bad breath? Pepper is a strong antibacterial agent. Salt too, for that matter. Additionally, the salt helps tighten the gums around the base of the teeth, which discourages gum disease, a problem that usually begins when food particles get trapped in these crevices and begin to rot. Put salt and pepper together and you have a winning combo for your teeth! So shake them up and get rid of bad breath.
The director of the Environmental Dental Association has an even better solution: equal measures of salt and baking soda. Wash your toothbrush with a 1:1 solution of peroxide and water, dip it into the powder and proceed to brush. You might wince at the taste, but you’ll smile when you smell your breath.
Pay attention to the tongue
What also makes a big difference in some people’s bad breath, and can even make it go away, is cleaning your tongue every day, maybe twice a day. Oral hygiene research has identified a coated tongue as one of the key areas that contribute to bad breath. So get yourself a good tongue cleaner, no don’t use your toothbrush and go to work.
When using one, be sure to clean from the inside out, from the throat area to the lips. Push it down firmly without pressing too hard on the meat (a good tongue cleaner will help prevent gagging). What your cleaner or scraper should do is remove the sticky stuff built up on your tongue without irritation or damage.
For many people, a copper tongue cleaner works best. It is firm and does not rust. And it soon gets rid of bad eating and drinking days and the resulting deposits on your tongue. Who would have thought that a clean tongue would be so important? Well, try it and you will see. Pay attention to the back, where the greatest number of odor-causing bacteria are found. If your bad breath is coming from all that stuff on your tongue, it’s very possible to get rid of it!
Wash your mouth (but not with soap)
What also helps many people is mouthwash, as long as you don’t make the mistake of buying the kind with alcohol, which can make bad breath worse.
You can make an all-natural herbal mouthwash at home with a cup of water and a drop of peppermint oil. Or try water in which mint leaves have been soaked for 10 minutes. Or use a light infusion of green tea, which has been shown to have a powerful effect on bad breath.
keep it simple
So remember your routine of brushing your teeth, scraping your tongue, and you’ll be on your way to fresher breathing. Just remember, when you brush your teeth, use a soft toothbrush and angle it slightly when brushing the area between your teeth and gums. Push the toothbrush up to get rid of any food particles trapped there. Even better, use a powerful oral irrigator and don’t forget to floss, as any food caught between your teeth is bound to rot, which is not the effect you were looking for.
Too easy? But who says that bad breath is always complicated? Of course, sometimes the causes are much deeper. But for many people, all it takes is a few extra nods towards hygiene, and you’re set to smell like a rose every time you open your mouth!
If you want to maintain good oral hygiene, visit your dentist regularly. Call Unicare Dental Center today and schedule your appointment.
